Peace and Reconciliation Through Interreligious Dialogue in Nigeria

With over 182 million inhabitants comprising over 500 ethnic groups (according to the 2015 census), Nigeria has an almost even split between Islam and Christianity. According to a recent United Nations report, Nigeria is projected to overtake the United States as the third-most populous country in the world by 2050. Currently it boasts the largest economy in Africa. Rising tensions along religious, regional, ethnic and political fault lines have damaged interreligious relations in Nigeria, which are under even more pressure due to the lack of sustained dialogue and a competition for available resources. Northeastern Nigeria, in particular, has also witnessed an increase in violence by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, seeking to manipulate religious identity in Nigeria for political ends. These violent acts have threatened social cohesion in this historically diverse and multireligious society.

Our Work

KAICIID sees the considerable potential of functioning dialogue platforms which leaders from different religious traditions can use to address these and other emerging issues. These platforms can serve to combat growing intolerance and mistrust. The Centre has solidified its role as a dialogue facilitator in Nigeria and laid the foundations for sustainable interreligious dialogue through the establishment of dialogue spaces, capacity building, and support of local initiatives.
In order to foster collaboration, and provide resources and support for local initiatives, the Centre works through a three pillar approach.

In 2017, the Centre supported the launch of the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDFP). The IDFP was the result of consultations with over 80 stakeholders and local partners in order to promote more effective and sustainable collaboration. As a locally owned, and legally registered entity, IDFP works on the promotion of interreligious dialogue for peace in the country, bringing together religious and interreligious actors, with international, governmental and civil society partners. The Forum has succeeded in adopting an interreligious action plan focusing on the establishment of Interfaith Networks and the support of social cohesion (1), interfaith education (2), the freedom of religion and the protection of holy sites (3), interfaith exchanges and media sensitisation (4), as well as countering hate speech (5).

In each of these areas, the Forum and its members have successfully implemented activities, including:

Visits to communities in Kaduna State, Plateau State, Taraba State, Benue State, and Zamfara State affected by tensions between farming and pastoralists groups.

A high level intra-faith round table meeting on the de-radicalisation of extremist tendencies in Nigeria, resulting in a roadmap and a consensus working document for further implementation by the Muslim community.

A round table for Muslim and Christian students on the prevention of hate speech

A workshop for women which raised awareness on hate speech and incitement to vio lence, and equipped participants with tools to foster peace

Training for 120 Nigerian youth on the positive role of religion in peacebuilding within their communities

The Centre also supports local and grassroots initiatives which foster dialogue throughout the country. Through the grants scheme up to 20 grassroots organisations are supported each year, broadening our impact among the Nigerian population.

The Nigeria programme partners with international and local organisations, such as the Centre’s collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (IPCR) on local case studies to assess interreligious dialogue activities in Nigeria as well as their impact on peace and reconciliation. The Centre is also jointly working with the Kukah Centre on the creation of Regional Peace Committees which operate as early warning systems and observation mechanisms. Our partnership with the Interfaith-Mediation Centre (IMC) works to promote Muslim-Christian dialogue and mediation.